Chapter 11 – SEED: The Story Begins
Tolle Koenig thought to himself that the war was about to begin—only Kira Yamato didn't realize it yet.
And the day of Kira's fate was about to arrive.
Tolle Koenig, Miriallia Haw, and Kira Yamato then left together, heading over to Professor Kato's place to help.
By the train station, they spotted Flay Allster with two random female friends.
Flay Allster really did look good—and with two rather plain-looking friends acting as foils, she appeared even more striking.
No wonder Kira could never forget her, clinging to that feeling throughout the whole story.
Tolle knew exactly what kind of person she was, and to him she was just another "green tea" type [scheming in a seemingly sweet way], so he preferred to stay away.
He already had Miriallia Haw—and he had also taken her first time.
Better to behave himself. This woman was destined to be just a passing figure in Kira Yamato's life, nothing to do with him.
Kira Yamato stared at Flay Allster with infatuation.
Just then, Flay Allster noticed Miriallia Haw and came over to greet her.
Tolle Koenig watched Kira's reaction when the two random girls mentioned that Flay Allster had already received a love letter from Sai Argyle and was now his girlfriend.
Sure enough, Kira's shocked expression showed he was hopelessly obsessed with Flay Allster.
Tolle then spotted three people approaching from behind. After greeting them, they boarded the train and left. One look was enough to tell it was the ill-fated Vice-Captain Natarle Badgiruel.
He couldn't help drifting into idle thoughts: (Vice-Captain's figure is actually pretty good—in the anime, she was overshadowed by Captain Murrue's, uh, "larger assets." If I had my own warship, someone like her would be a top choice—she's got the command skills too. I wonder if she'll still be alive when I eventually have enough space to store a warship… maybe I could even save her.)
Then, teasing Kira, Tolle said,
"Sai actually wrote a love letter? That's surprising—especially to Flay Allster. That's a tough rival you've got there, Kira Yamato-kun."
Kira blushed and stammered, "I… I didn't…"
Miriallia Haw chuckled beside them, and the three continued walking, chatting and laughing along the way.
Tolle knew that by now ZAFT forces should already be starting their invasion, so he had to stay alert. The neo DG cells had just attached themselves to Kira's clothing.
As long as things followed the plot, there should be no problem.
The three arrived at Professor Kato's lab, where Sai Argyle and Kuzzey Buskirk were already present.
Nearby was someone in a hat and overcoat—likely Cagalli Yula Athha. With her androgynous appearance, she certainly lived up to the "tomboy" label.
Tolle deliberately asked Kuzzey who she was.
Kuzzey explained she was a guest of the professor and was told to wait there. After that, Kira also began working.
Suddenly, there was a loud boom—an explosion. The moment had finally come.
Everyone started fleeing for shelter. Tolle Koenig shielded Miriallia Haw as they evacuated.
Kira Yamato noticed Cagalli Yula Athha walking off alone and followed her.
Through the DG cells, Tolle began observing Kira's thoughts, just in case.
On the way, Kira also discovered that Cagalli was a girl and took her into an escape pod.
He then entered the Gundam storage facility—time for the classic Kira–Athrun showdown to begin.
Rusty Mackenzie, the redcoat pilot, was quickly taken out. Athrun Zala recognized Kira Yamato and therefore held his fire, stopping his attack.
Murrue Ramius seized the chance to open fire, forcing Athrun back. She and Kira boarded the Strike Gundam.
Athrun withdrew into the Aegis Gundam, marking the official start of their love–hate battle.
Meanwhile, Tolle Koenig led his group of four outside, watching GINNs battling tanks and infantry.
He thought, Hurry up, Kira—don't be late.
He also noted that the GINN units here were weaker than he expected—much weaker than the enhanced versions he had simulated. Slightly disappointing, but still better than the Moebius units in the air.
GINN
D-Class Mobile Suit
HP: 1000
EN: 200
Mobility: 50
Armor: 280
Terrain Adaptability: Sea–Land B / Air–Space B
Power Source: Battery Pack
Armor: Standard Armor
Fixed Armament: MA-M3 Heavy Sword (600); MMI-M8A3 76mm Heavy Machine Gun (500); Standard Shield
Optional Weapons: M68 Triple Missile Launcher ×2 (600); M59 Walrus Kai Heavy Particle Cannon (1800/20); M66 Missile Launcher ×2 (1200); MMI-M636K Beam Rifle (1000/5)
Tolle hesitated—should he wait for Miguel's GINN, or just grab any one he could?
If Miguel didn't self-destruct, Murrue Ramius might not faint.
Too much deviation from the plot could be risky—if he couldn't board the Archangel later, he'd be as good as dead.
Tolle controlled the DG cells to locate a GINN under tank fire, caused a system failure, and sent it crashing to the ground. The pilot bailed out.
When the Archangel came to collect supplies, he'd sneak it aboard and use the chance to enlist and learn piloting skills. Then, that GINN could be his.
Murrue Ramius piloted the Strike Gundam clumsily out into the open. ZAFT's mobile suits began retreating, except for one—Miguel's GINN—which attacked the Strike with its heavy sword and machine gun. Neither could pierce the armor, but the explosions still caused enough shockwaves to jostle the cockpit.
Kira's head bumped right into Murrue Ramius's soft chest. Flustered and blushing, he quickly apologized.
As the fight dragged on, the Strike Gundam drew closer to Tolle's group.
Spotting the fleeing civilians on the monitor, Kira reluctantly had Murrue vacate the pilot seat so he could take over.
The Strike burst forward, dodging attacks with sudden agility. Tolle knew instantly that Kira had taken control.
Kira deftly slashed with two combat knives, stabbing into the GINN's arms.
Miguel's GINN was immobilized. Unable to fight back, he approached to trigger the self-destruct and ejected.
The explosion didn't damage the Strike Gundam, though the shockwave knocked it over.
As expected, Murrue Ramius lost consciousness. Kira piloted the Strike over to Tolle's group and stopped.
With their help, Kira carried the unconscious Murrue out, leaving her in Miriallia's care.
Tolle seized the opportunity to climb into the Strike Gundam—his first time experiencing a standard cockpit.
He had read plenty about them, but this was his first time actually sitting in one. Seeing it up close, he couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement.